2397's plus mid's

[cooky1257]

Hi all,
I just got to wondering that (as far as I know) the 2397 /244* is a well regarded combo and yet never made it into a big 4*** series monitor.
My question is what would be a logical 'upgrade' to my early Westy clones?
Searching the forum does tend to favour the addition of a cone midrange to make them 4 ways I'm just wondering if the cone mid plus the 2397 opens a can of worms in terms of baffle placement, integration of drivers etc.I'm reasonably happy with them at the moment but am sure some mid help could be worth it but would it mean having to forgo that lovely horn?
Cheers
Cooky

[Mr. Widget]

I'm reasonably happy with them at the moment but am sure some mid help could be worth it but would it mean having to forgo that lovely horn?

What's wrong with using a nice wood diffraction horn and a midbass?


Widget
.

[cooky1257]

Hello Widget,
Wonderful, I know, I know but though unable to find it, I remember all your permutations of baffle layouts without entirely nailing it(as I recall)to your satisfaction.
I can just manage the 3m distance needed for good integration.
Also I really can't go any larger/wider-not in our average uk listening rooms anyway so 10" mids would be the max I can go with-any suggestions?.
Cooky

[pos]

If you are after better low mids why not convert your 2235s to 2234s and use a 2.5 way approach like the 4435 and everest 2 do?

[cooky1257]

If you are after better low mids why not convert your 2235s to 2234s and use a 2.5 way approach like the 4435 and everest 2 do?

Thanks for the suggestion-it's all up for grabs at the minute tho' I've only just re-coned the 2231's to 2235's so scalpel time doesn't exactly thrill me;-)
It's not the amount of low mid but the quality which is actually ok but having read glowing reports of the benefits of JBL 12"/10' mids and a higher xover for the 2441's it gets me wondering.
Cooky

[Earl K]

Hi

Wonderful, I know, I know but though unable to find it, I remember all your ( Widgets' ) permutations of baffle layouts without entirely nailing it(as I recall)to your satisfaction.

As I remember that period ( winter/spring 2004 ), it was a 12" ( 2202h ) that Widget struggled to integrate ( without finding sonic satisfaction ) .

JBLs' 10" mids have a better track record at integrating ( as observed, strictly from the number of permutations & combinations found in the 434x series ) .

<>

[Mr. Widget]

As I remember that period ( winter/spring 2004 )...

Ah yes, we were all so much younger then.

I bailed on that project for a variety of reasons, but the 2202 was certainly at or near the top of the list. I wouldn't say it was the integration that bothered me. but rather the sonic signature of that driver. Also very high on the list was the sheer size of the speakers. While many on the forum see the 4350/55s, 4435s, or larger Westlakes with the twin 15" woofers and get all excited, I found them just too damned big.


Widget

[Ian Mackenzie]

It will work up to a point but i am not sure about it working in your room.

I have used the 2397 with the 2122 and an Audax 8 inch mid cone.

I have seen club system at places like Billboard night club over here with the 2446 on the 2397 and 3 x E110 and 2 x 2226 drivers .

If you can find some E110 give it a whirl. The 2202 is a bit old hat by todays standards and there are plenty of other brand drivers that are far superior.

The other option is to find a proper 12 mid/bass cone..not a woofer .....the JBL ones are hard to come by and you will need to tailor the rising response in this type of driver.

The best drivers have flux demodulating rings that help reduce mid band distortion. This type of approach is used with other techniques in the JBL AL 1500 and other high quality drivers made by B & C and Eighteensound who also use Neo magnet structures.

[Robh3606]

Hello Cooky

Just to jump in a minute. The 2235/2122 integration is a 4344 is really quite good. I imagine a 2123 would be just as good but if you have a choice the 2122 is more versitile on the lower end than a 2123. Either one of them are an upgrade over running the 2235's up to the compression drivers.

Rob

[cooky1257]

Hello Cooky

Just to jump in a minute. The 2235/2122 integration is a 4344 is really quite good. I imagine a 2123 would be just as good but if you have a choice the 2122 is more versitile on the lower end than a 2123. Either one of them are an upgrade over running the 2235's up to the compression drivers.

Rob

Thank Rob/everyone, I'll keep my eyes open for some 2nd hand.
Cooky

[Val]

Great thread. Having lived with these for a few years now I really think a lot about the missing mid-bass in the 075/375/LE15 combination of drivers.